'So you think your child is gay?' New guide answers parents' common questions

8 February 2013

‘So you think your child is gay?’ New guide answers parents’ common questions

Poll shows 81 per cent of people would be comfortable with having a lesbian, gay or bisexual child

Stonewall today publishes a guide for parents who think their child might be lesbian, gay or bisexual. So You Think Your Child Is Gay? answers parents’ common questions about sexual orientation, including ‘is it just a phase?’, ‘did I do something wrong?’ and ‘will I still be welcome at church?’. Stonewall is distributing the pocket-size guide to thousands of GPs’ surgeries, libraries and schools across Britain.

YouGov polling for Stonewall’s Living Together report shows 81 per cent of people in Britain would now be comfortable if their child grew up to be lesbian, gay or bisexual. However, coming out remains a stressful experience for many gay young people and their parents. Although gay people today have plenty of sources of support when they choose to come out, few resources exist for parents of gay young people. Stonewall’s new guide will help parents support their children without worrying needlessly about the ‘impact’ of their sexual orientation.

Stonewall Head of Education Wes Streeting said: ‘Many parents worry about what being gay means for their relationship with their children and have all sorts of questions that they’re sometimes afraid to ask for fear of saying the wrong thing. So You Think Your Child Is Gay? provides upbeat and straightforward advice to parents, which focuses on the most important thing of all – giving children love and support, whatever their sexual orientation.’

Stonewall is distributing copies of So You Think Your Child Is Gay? to local authorities, schools, libraries and GP surgeries across Britain. The guide is also available online at www.stonewall.org.uk/parentguide, or can be ordered from Stonewall’s Information Service on 08000 50 20 20.